News

Volume 6 Issue 1 - June 15, 2009

Mumbai to have beepers at traffic crossings

D.N.I.S. News Network, India: The insane traffic in metros is a major problem for visually impaired people. But Mumbai Traffic Police is planning to install beepers at new Area Traffic Control signals to aid visually impaired people. The beepers will inform them when to cross the road.

“There are a few reasons behind our decision to install beepers at the new signals, but more importantly it is to help visually impaired people cross the roads themselves. The beeping sound will indicate when the signal turns green or red,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sanjay Barve.

This system is already in place in countries abroad. The beepers will initially be set up in signals near schools for visually impaired people like the National Association for the Blind school at Worli. Later, they would be installed in other parts of the city.

If everything goes as planned, the system should be in place by this monsoon, said Barve.

Elaborating on the plan, Barve said, “The beepers will indicate when pedestrians can cross apart from indicating the change in signal. The sound of the beep will decrease indicating the change in signal and cautioning visually impaired people from crossing the roads.”

This move has been welcomed by associations working for visually impaired people. Vasant Hegde, General Secretary, National Federation of the Blind (Maharashtra), said, “In 1995, the government passed the Disability Act and this is reflecting its provisions. However, I am only worried that lack of maintenance may cause hindrance to the plan.”